Problem areas
This 2.2-liter Z4 sports a BMW M54 straight-six engine, which was replaced by the N52 during the 2006 facelift. Most likely, all an errant M54 needs is a DISA valve.
The hydraulic cam lifters on the N52 have a tendency to leak oil, which can cause a tractor-like roar when the engine is cold. Look for leaks in the coolant expansion tank.
Watch out for damp carpets, which can mess with the electrics, and look for seat damage and wear, especially to the driver’s bolster.
On all but the Ms (which are hydraulic), electric steering assistance was available; stiffness and noise issues are typically simple to fix.
The model you choose should be based on how you want to use the Z4 because all of them have lively performance; the smaller engines are merely “slow” when compared to the bigger ones.
To show off, you’ll need at least a 2.5Si, but the less powerful and softer-riding variants are best for leisurely weekend excursions.
Check the soft-top’s functionality and state. Budget PS120-150 to transfer the roof engine if it isn’t in the boot, unless you want to garage the vehicle.
Rear springs are prone to breaking, hence the term “lowered” could actually imply “broken.” Suspension bushes cause errant drive.
In This Article...
First, examine a used 2009 BMW Z4
Like all other contemporary BMWs, you will receive an immediate notification when the vehicle requires maintenance. Make sure you are aware of when the most recent service was performed; a few documents serve as the best evidence. Check the hard top folding mechanism once more. It is important to note that it’s common to become confused by all the buttons nearby. Examine each button to ensure that it is functioning properly. Make sure the alloy wheels don’t have any curb damage by paying close attention to the rims. Have a pre-purchase inspection performed on the car at a licensed and skilled shop. When it comes to spare parts, the Z4s are less expensive than those for the SLK and Boxster. You should expect to pay about $160 (about) for a single front shock absorber, about $215 (approximately) for a wing mirror, and about $23 (approximately) for a fuel filter.
A rough ride will unavoidably bring out interior rattles; this is especially typical with glove boxes and cubbyhole lids. Although fluid leaks have been reported, even if the electro-hydraulic roof is not prone to failure, they continue to clog the roof and leave stains inside. When the doors are open, or the roof, for that matter, the windows are meant to automatically roll down. So be sure this occurs on the vehicle you’re about to purchase and use. On a test drive, push the car to its absolute limits to look for any unusual vibrations. They might be caused by anything from an imbalanced wheel to a damaged or worn-out engine mount. The latter may end up costing you dearly.
The tail lights frequently become infiltrated with water, which indicates that the tail lights have not been securely sealed and that the complete cluster has to be replaced. Fuel injector problems are common in heavily driven Z4s, which could inevitably result in the engine cutting out or dashboard warnings. Drive the car carefully and long enough to detect whether something similar occurs. If it occurs, a skilled BMW workshop will be needed to identify and fix the issue, and these are often not cheap fixes.
steering, brakes, and suspension
The rear Z-axle, front MacPherson struts, and E46 suspension are all used by the Z4. The dampers in the front can deteriorate, but as they are of the E46 type, replacements are affordable. It’s a very excellent idea to equip the more expensive arms rather than inexpensive ones because the lower front ball joints on the alloy control arms also wear out and necessitate a new arm. BMW offers a bargain line arm kit, but you should never install cheap rear “lollipop” bushes; instead, use high-quality replacements made of polyurethane. These bushes are oil-filled, and low-quality ones rarely endure.
The outer bushes on the Z-arms wear down in the back, which causes odd handling known as “rear steer.” We would prefer to install the genuine BMW bushes without the slotted outer steel shell because those just hammer in but can “walk” out of the arms and cause knocking. However, with the specific tool they are relatively straightforward (if a little laborious) to change. While rear coil springs are prone to snapping a lower coil off, they are also easy and reasonably priced to replace. Rear dampers are cheap to replace.
When the hydraulic system in the E46 would have sufficed, the Z4’s electric power steering seemed like an unusual option. The steering column’s PAS motor is integrated there, and replacing it can be expensive. The steering gets extremely heavy and the power steering warning light on the dash will ping when the steering column motor breaks. Because the steering system interacts with the traction control system, a reduction in engine power may happen when the PAS system malfunctions. Without trustworthy information from the PAS, the power delivery is limited for safety. You will discover that it won’t interact with the power steering electronics if you have diagnostics. One solution is a nice used column; forget about buying a new one from BMW because they cost thousands of dollars, and some experts provide a test-and-rebuild service.
There are no significant issues other than the typical old-car issues, such as rusted rear brake pipes, worn discs and pads, and perished flexible hoses. Most BMW handbrakes require repair or adjustment, and this must be done on the drum itself and not only by tightening the handbrake wire. BMW handbrakes use a pair of brake shoes inside the bell of the rear discs. Be aware that the ideal shoes to use when performing an overhaul are genuine BMW shoes. The ABS is also sufficiently dependable, and both new and used sensors, as well as parts like pump and ECU units and master cylinder pressure sensors, are reasonably priced.
Join the discussion
They are a useless vehicle. Even the vendors avoid attempting to sell them. When you ask for a test drive, they appear amazed. It is not comparable to a Boxster. Not even a good BMW, really. Even in its 40s shape, it is a cruiser. For the same money, an M2 Competition is a far superior vehicle to drive. To choose a soft-top over an M2, you would have to truly want one. Even the dealers are aware of it. Either you purchase an M2 or you head to the Porsche dealer.
That sounds like a good summary. However, the M40i is frequently overpriced, and as you mention, the weight of the engine mutes the four-cylinder cars’ exuberant turn-in. Although it comes near and is less expensive to buy and operate when compared to a Boxster of the same age, the Z4 is not quite as good in any aspect. As long as you don’t mind automatics, this iteration of Z4 is superior quality overall and has more of the MX5’s fun factor.
Although the 20i works well as an MX5 rival on its own, many of them lack important additions like larger brakes and adaptive suspension. Most 30i versions are MSports and have them as well as improved kit and audio. I believe the 30i, which costs only little more than the 20i used but has much more power, the smoother four-cylinder handling, and 40 mpg economy, is the sweet spot of the range. You can probably assume that I own a 30i MSport and adore it.
Although the exhaust noise isn’t as loud as the M40i’s, it’s certainly more enjoyable to drive.
Is the BMW Z4 useful?
The BMW Z4 is an adult sports car that strikes an excellent mix between being enjoyable to drive and practical for daily use. It may not be as economical as an Audi TT Roadster or as quick around a racetrack as a Porsche 718 Boxster, but you’ll still adore its dramatic appearance and high-tech interior.
The previous generation of the BMW Z4 wasn’t exactly memorable, but with its sharp front end, bulbous tail, and doors that have more folds than an origami swan, the new model corrects the record.
If the interior of the BMW Z4 is anything like the exterior, you might be let down. Although it’s all very beautiful, you’d imagine a sports car would feel a little more, well, sporty. Everything feels lovely and luxurious, but you’ll find plenty of bits and pieces taken from the most recent BMW 3 Series.
At least the seats are really comfortable and supportive, and you can finish them in a variety of leather colors, ranging from subdued black to bold red. They’re incredibly comfy as well, although on all but the highest-spec cars, motorized adjustment and lumbar support cost extra.
But once you start messing around with the infotainment system of the BMW Z4, you won’t have anything to gripe about. It has two high-resolution screens as standard equipment and reacts to a variety of voice commands that could compete with Siri. It isn’t just superior to the Porsche and Audi systems; it’s also pretty much the best infotainment system available.
Some soft-tops return you to the fundamentals of what a sports vehicle ought to be, but the cutting-edge BMW Z4 takes a very different approach.
The soft top of the BMW Z4 is also among the best available. The Z4 drives exactly like a typical hardtop when it is up. Retract it, which can be done in only 10 seconds at up to 30 mph, and you may continue talking to your passenger or listening to the radio while driving at highway speeds.
If you frequently take travels like that, you can get the BMW Z4, which has a variety of cutting-edge driver aid features that will make long drives seem like quick excursions to the store. On highways, there is even a feature that will steer, brake, and accelerate for you.
It being a sports car, you may prefer to be in charge, in which case the enhanced M Sport plus package will be a far more alluring choice. To make the Z4 feel right at home on winding rural roads, this equips Sport models with larger brakes, lowered suspension, and a clever differential. The Z4 doesn’t feel as nimble as the Porsche 718 Boxster, even with all this equipment (which is standard on M Sport and M40i variants).
No Z4 can equal the lighter, more nimble Porsche for outright cross-country pace and (more significantly) smiles per mile, despite the fact that 340hp M40i variants are fairly quick and all versions have plenty of grip from their wide tyres.
However, you shouldn’t let that deter you from the BMW Z4 because it still has a ton of power, is a breeze to drive, and has some truly great kit included right out of the box. View the most recent BMW Z4 discounts or continue reading to see our detailed reviews of the interior and features.
What are the typical BMW Z4 issues?
- Steering wheel clunk.
- Loss of coolant.
- faulty roof mechanism
- defective convertible top
- Orientation Drifts.
- Oil Spills.
- Placed Steering Sticks.
- defective airbags
Is buying a BMW Z4 worthwhile?
The Z4 Mk2 is BMW’s best sports vehicle to date. Some enthusiasts believed the brand had sold out by producing a coupe-cabrio, but this is a company that doesn’t do things by half. The Z4 has proven to be a fantastic option for enthusiasts, but it’s also ideal for anyone searching for a stylish sports vehicle that is quick, maneuverable, and practical. The Z4 can be driven every day if you don’t require a lot of load space despite the fun it offers. The four-cylinder engines from the 2011 facelift are well worth looking for because they offer comparable performance to their six-cylinder counterparts while being more fuel-efficient.
With a history of producing excellent drivers’ vehicles and a reputation for marketing its goods as “The ultimate driving machine,” one would assume that BMW would have a line of two-seater roadsters.
Aside from the expensive and rare 507 from the 1950s, BMW avoided two-seaters for the majority of its 100-year existence. The brand wouldn’t enter the market for reasonably priced sports cars until the 1996 Z3.
The Z3 wasn’t a bad start, but the original Z4 was far superior. The Mk2 replacement, with its more streamlined appearance, coupe-cabriolet layout, and enhanced performance, was even better. It’s time to find one now that summer has finally arrived.